1978 Hood Prop | FerrariChat

1978 Hood Prop

Discussion in '308/328' started by Car-nutt, Sep 18, 2024.

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  1. Car-nutt

    Car-nutt Rookie

    Sep 13, 2024
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    Toronto
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    Larry Conte
    Hello everyone, I was wondering if you could give me some feedback about my 1978 308. My car has the hood rod in the centre to hold the hood up. But I have noticed that some 308 of the same year have hinges on the right and left side (gas shocks). I know that 1979 models have the hood shocks. Was the 1978 308 available with the hood shocks as well.
     
  2. Newman

    Newman F1 World Champ
    Consultant Owner Professional Ferrari Technician

    Dec 26, 2001
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    Newman
    78 was the last year of the prop rod for the engine lid on US spec cars, I assume Euro as well. You could add gas struts but it would be a lot of work if you did it the factory way.
     
  3. Steve Magnusson

    Steve Magnusson Two Time F1 World Champ
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    Jan 11, 2001
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  4. Car-nutt

    Car-nutt Rookie

    Sep 13, 2024
    18
    Toronto
    Full Name:
    Larry Conte
    Thank you
     
  5. ChevyDave

    ChevyDave Formula Junior

    Dec 21, 2019
    408
    Pacific Northwest, USA
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    Dave W
    Just providing an additional data point: I've seen a 79 Euro GTB with the center prop rod.
    - Dave
     
  6. Steve Magnusson

    Steve Magnusson Two Time F1 World Champ
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    Jan 11, 2001
    26,785
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    Steve Magnusson
    That's the problem. There is no such thing as a 1979 Model Year Euro 308GTB -- they tend to get a "year" associated with when their gov't paperwork was done (not when they were manufactured nor related to their physical configuration like US model year). Do you know if the SN was before, or after, 27583?
     
  7. ragtop1

    ragtop1 F1 Veteran
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    Nov 11, 2006
    5,241
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    Larry Warren
    Are you thinking of replacing the centre rod with shocks? Or just curious about the transition date?
    The retractable wire case is scarce and valuable if it still works.
    Verell from Unobtanium was working on 3d printing them, but I believe he had no success.
     
  8. Car-nutt

    Car-nutt Rookie

    Sep 13, 2024
    18
    Toronto
    Full Name:
    Larry Conte
    My 308 is a 1978 and it has the centre rod but missing the retractable wire case, I would like to get one. Then I have seen another 1978 308 with gas struts, I just wanted to know what was correct.
     
  9. ragtop1

    ragtop1 F1 Veteran
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    Nov 11, 2006
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    No, it wouldn’t be correct for that year. I was under the impression that the gas shock was introduced at the same time as the fuel injected 2 valve engine was created. Roughly 1980. The seat pattern changed at the same period- including other subtle changes as clock and tranny oil gauge location and body paint colour on the A pilar. Mirrors changed and the front fender grills were painted black. Etc
     
  10. ragtop1

    ragtop1 F1 Veteran
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    Nov 11, 2006
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    Oops, The A pillar and fender grill colour didn’t change until the QV came along.
     
  11. ragtop1

    ragtop1 F1 Veteran
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    Nov 11, 2006
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    I'm bored, did some more digging...:D

    1979:

    - Change of the engine cover supporting rod from single-rod to two struts, one on each side with brackets on the body, this is from chassis 27583 GTB and 27309 GTS.
     
  12. Car-nutt

    Car-nutt Rookie

    Sep 13, 2024
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    Larry Conte
    Thank you for great feedback, this site is awsome.
     
  13. dflett

    dflett Formula 3
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    Attached Files:

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  14. flyngti

    flyngti Formula 3

    Jul 16, 2009
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    That's cool. Would you happen to have a picture of what the guts look like?
     
  15. dflett

    dflett Formula 3
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    Afraid not. Photos and writeup were lost when my old website was hacked a few years ago. Inside is an industrial spring-loaded spool I had made to the correct dimensions. The spool bolts to a 3D printed base and the 3D printed cover locks the base in place in place
     
  16. ChevyDave

    ChevyDave Formula Junior

    Dec 21, 2019
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    Dave W
    Hi Steve, the S/N of the "1979" Euro GTB that I saw the prop rod on is 27679....which is titled as a '79, marked as being built in 1980 on the importer's tag, but might actually be a '78 based on the starting S/N you gave for 1978 spec 308s? :p
    - Dave
     
  17. Steve Magnusson

    Steve Magnusson Two Time F1 World Champ
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    Jan 11, 2001
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    Completely typical for the euro cars made before "model year" got included in the VIN -- their "year" is more of a random variable paperwork thing ;).
     
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  18. dflett

    dflett Formula 3
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    Found a photo with the cover removed...


    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  19. Car-nutt

    Car-nutt Rookie

    Sep 13, 2024
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    Larry Conte
    Thank you, now if I can just find one. Any know of where I can get one?
     
  20. jgmblair

    jgmblair Formula Junior
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    May 27, 2010
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    David did you lose the printer files as well or do you still have them? Thanks - Jeff
     
  21. dflett

    dflett Formula 3
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    Give me a few days and I'll share the STL files and the details of the spool and supplier.

    The spools are not cheap when ordered in small numbers.
     
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  22. Rifledriver

    Rifledriver Three Time F1 World Champ

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    Nice job. Now if you would just quit your job and make them in quantity.
     
  23. jmaienza

    jmaienza Formula Junior

    Jan 8, 2009
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  24. dflett

    dflett Formula 3
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  25. jgmblair

    jgmblair Formula Junior
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    I've ordered this from Maranello and will update the thread once it arrives. Previously, I had ordered the Hill Engineering updated prop mount, once all together I will post pics for the next owner searching for this information.
     

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